Chapter 9 Do Not Mention Your Teacher to Anyone

"Mm."

Li Xuan nodded, feeling it necessary to admonish his disciple. How could he forget to cook?

A mind entirely focused on cultivation was unacceptable.

"Combine work and rest; do not overdo your cultivation—do you understand?"

Li Xuan spoke with a stern face.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan showed a face full of shame, "Yes, Master, your disciple will certainly bear it in mind!"

He felt deeply moved, "Master is worried about me blindly persevering, which could hurt my body. That's right, although persistence is important, one must also progress steadily. I've only just started Bone Refinement, and if I were to blindly persevere, it could easily lead to problems!"

"You must understand that there is a method to persistence. Balancing effort and relaxation is essential to cultivate more efficiently and to gain deeper insights!"

Li Xuan instructed earnestly.

"Disciple understands, I definitely won't make this mistake again!"

Xu Yan respectfully replied.

"Indeed, blindly persisting can lead to trouble. You must relax your mind appropriately, or else you become like a string, too tightly, too long stretched, and liable to snap!"

Xu Yan had a sudden revelation.

"Go on!"

Li Xuan waved his hand, sending Xu Yan off to cook.

"This disciple, he does listen to teachings, but unfortunately, I am not truly a great master, and the cultivation methods are merely fabricated; persistence is of no use!"

He sighed inwardly, but since he had already deceived, he could only continue to bluff.

...

After Xu Yan entered the Realm of Bone Refinement, whenever his vital energy further permeated his bones at the beginning of grinding them, he felt as if sand were scraping against the bones.

However, Xu Yan did not continue to blindly persevere; as soon as he could barely hold on, he would cease his efforts and go do something else to relax his mind.

Five days later.

In the midst of cultivation, Xu Yan felt a shock of vital energy move through his body, his bones trembling as the blood energy poured into them, giving a sensation of newfound smoothness.

He felt an overall sensation of growing stronger, and his vital energy improved.

"I've finally made an entry into Bone Refinement."

Xu Yan was overjoyed. After five days of diligent practice, he had completed the first phase of Bone Refinement.

The subsequent phases would now flow smoother and he would no longer experience those painful sensations of ants biting or sand scraping.

Only when reaching the initial stage of Iron Bone would he feel the pain again.

"I am currently at the entry stage of Iron Bone, but now that I've started, the refining process up to Copper Bone will be easier."

Xu Yan was exhilarated. As long as the refining process was painless, he could endure longer and spend more time on cultivation.

"It's been almost a month since I left. Now that I have entered Bone Refinement, my strength is such that I can fearlessly face a hundred men unarmed."

"It's time to go back, to prepare a proper token of respect for my Master as the gifts for my apprenticeship have all been spent on cultivation materials. I should buy some rare medicinal herbs and prepare another gift for him."

Xu Yan felt that though his Master did not care about the apprenticeship gifts, he, as the disciple, should not disregard the rituals of respecting his Master.

"Given my Master's realm, rare treasures certainly wouldn't catch his eyes; after all, what ordinary people consider precious is merely mundane. What should I prepare for my Master?"

Xu Yan fell into deep thought.

Suddenly he slapped his forehead, "How foolish of me! Master doesn't care about rare treasures. All I need to bring is my sincerity. Items like gold or jade, just to decorate Master's house, he would probably appreciate those."

Having realized this, Xu Yan felt much relieved.

"Go catch a wild hare, fish a trout from the creek, and prepare a hearty meal for Master before I leave."

Xu Yan ceased his cultivation and left the village to gather ingredients.

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...

Looking at the lavish dinner table, Li Xuan wore a look of contentment, "This disciple is not bad!"

The food was becoming more and more delicious, and there were many more dishes.

"Master, it has been almost a month since I came out, I want to go home for a visit."

After dinner, Xu Yan spoke up.

Li Xuan's heart skipped a beat, "Once this kid goes back and starts talking about becoming a disciple, won't I be exposed? His brain doesn't function well, surely his parents aren't the same, right?"

But if he didn't allow Xu Yan to go home, it would seem unreasonable, and it might even arouse Xu Yan's suspicions.

After a moment's reflection, Li Xuan spoke, "Going home for a visit is fine, but I must remind you, before you are initiated into the ways of cultivation, you must not reveal it to anyone, including your parents, do you understand?"

"Yes, Master, the disciple will never mention anything related to cultivation to anyone!"

Xu Yan was taken aback and immediately made a solemn promise.

"The master likes peace, prefers to keep a low profile and does not like to show off. Although I have accepted you as a disciple, you must not mention the master before you are initiated, I hope you understand!"

Li Xuan said sternly.

"Yes, Master, before I am initiated, I will not mention you at all!"

Xu Yan promised respectfully.

"If I fail to be initiated, it indicates a lack of affinity with the Master. If the Master made an exception by accepting me as a disciple and I failed to be initiated, it would tarnish the Master's reputation. As a disciple, I must prioritize protecting the master's reputation!"

Xu Yan felt a bit ashamed in his heart, recognizing his own lack of talent.

If he couldn't be initiated, tarnishing the master's fame, wouldn't it invite people to mock the Master?

As a disciple, one must prioritize the honor and reputation of the master!

Li Xuan's original intention was to avoid exposing himself prematurely and being discovered, hence he cautioned Xu Yan neither to mention himself nor to discuss anything related to cultivation.

Unbeknownst to him, Xu Yan had made his own assumptions.

"I naturally trust you, you should head back early and be careful on the way."

Li Xuan's expression softened a bit and he reminded again, "The journey involves crossing the thirty-mile Evil Spirit Forest, which harbors fierce tigers and wild beasts; you need to be extra cautious not to get hurt."

The Evil Spirit Forest was too dangerous, and Xu Yan alone might struggle to survive if he encountered fierce tigers and wild beasts.

Li Xuan could only offer a reminder, as to whether Xu Yan could make it through safely, it all depended on his luck.

"Yes, Master!"

Xu Yan knelt down with a thump, respectfully bowed his head three times, and said, "Master, whether it takes six or seven days or eleven or twelve days, I will surely return to take care of you!"

"You have my appreciation!"

Seeing how respectful and reverential Xu Yan was, full of filial piety, Li Xuan's heart was somewhat moved.

"This deceit... How did it manage to evolve into genuine feelings? Sigh, truly, I'm just not cut out to be a con artist, this has all been forced upon me!"

Li Xuan felt helpless inside.

He really didn't want to deceive anyone, it was all Xu Yan's fault for not using his brain and insisting on being deceived, not to mention the overly generous gifts he gave for becoming a disciple!

Xu Yan left.

Li Xuan stood on the hillside at the edge of the village, watching Xu Yan's receding figure, his expression complex.

"Hopefully, he makes it through the Evil Spirit Forest safely, this foolish boy... Sigh!"

He sighed deeply, and not until Xu Yan's figure disappeared from view did Li Xuan return to his dwelling.

Lying on the chair under the big tree, he suddenly felt rather... lonely!

"Damn!"

"Getting used to having a disciple around to serve me, and now suddenly being all alone again, it just doesn't feel good!"

Li Xuan slapped his face, unable to help but curse.

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